A huge thank you to all those Foundation parents who have already taken the time to complete the Baines Cutler Parental Affordability Survey that was emailed to you earlier this week.

As we now live in a world where VAT on independent school fees is sadly the norm, we believe that it is essential for the trustees, Heads and senior leaders of the Foundation schools to obtain the clearest understanding possible of our parents’ financial circumstances, commitments and day-to-day logistics in order to inform our future financial and strategic planning.

Gaining insights into the income profiles of our parents, and the work/time commitments and pressures that you are facing, will help us make the best possible decisions in the interests of both our families and the Foundation. 

To that end if you have yet to complete the survey we would greatly appreciate your  help and participation in the survey.  It is being conducted on our behalf by Baines Cutler, a company we have chosen because of their specialism in the field of independent schools’ financial benchmarking. This confidential and anonymous survey will cover a number of areas, including the children you have in the Foundation, your employment status, household income and the affordability of school fees, in addition it will ask about other financial and time commitments such as childcare during term time and the holidays, the school run and your working week, so we can best plan our provision to meet your needs.

The survey is by necessity quite detailed, and I would like to emphasise that it is completely anonymous, even to Baines Cutler, and the Foundation will only receive an aggregated representation of the data through the final report.

The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete, when responding please include all children attending a Foundation school, Princethorpe College, Crescent School and/or Crackley Hall School including Little Crackers Nursery. At the end it will ask which Prep School your child/children attend please complete this as appropriate so we can differentiate the results between the two prep schools. 

Please click the link below and use the Foundation identifier 1311 to begin the survey. No password is required; this is only to be used if you would like to return to the survey at a later stage to finish it.

The deadline for completing the survey please is Friday 5 December 2025.

https://surveys.bcsconsultants.co.uk/earnings-time-survey/enter/

Responding to the survey is of course optional, however we would be grateful for as many responses as possible to give us the clearest possible picture of our families’ circumstances.

Thank you in advance for your help with this important survey and for your continued support for all our Foundation schools. 

Best wishes

Ed Hester
Foundation Principal

Recent leaver and former Art Scholar, OP Genevieve Slater-Tucker's stunning picture Metamorphosis has been awarded second place in the Painting Over 16 class at the Independent Schools Association’s prestigious National Art Competition.

Her painting had qualified for the competition after winning the local regional round and the judging for the nationals took place at the ISA's National Conference in November in Kenilworth.

Her painting was part of her coursework for her A-level Art examination. It features how humans and nature mirror each other in their development and journey from childhood to adulthood. It is a striking, life-like image and a well-deserved winner.

Genevieve has always been a talented artist, back at GCSE she was one of the country's top scorers in her OCR GCSE Art and Design: Fine Art qualification. Her A-level work was equally impressive and Head of Art, Paul Hubball, is delighted that her painting has received recognition at the ISA national competition.
 

Much anticipated and always hotly contested, the House Talent Show did not disappoint providing yet another sensational evening of entertainment. Compered by House Activities Leader, Rachel Fox, ably assisted by the House Captains stage crew, the show included an array of amazing vocal, instrumental and dance performances and even a magician. It presented a real conundrum for the audience who had the impossible challenge of choosing the winner.

After the acts had performed, the audience had the pleasure of four special, surprise numbers. The House Captains outdid themselves performing a slick routine to Grease Lightning. That was followed by two stunning solo performances by Emilia and Guilliaume before Princethorpe’s Dance Troupe rounded the evening’s entertainment off with a brilliant number Hercules.

This year’s well-deserved winner was a master of sleight of hand. Year 9 Gilbert, for Fisher, impressed the audience with his clever magic tricks all accompanied by a non-stop, witty repartee. Taking second place was Grace, also for Fisher, who delivered a powerful rendition of Adele’s Hometown Glory. Then in third place, for More, was Pitch Perfect 2 Crew who sang and danced to Flashlight from the Pitch Perfect 2 film. 

A huge thank you to all who took part, we were super impressed by your enthusiasm and commitment to your House and also to the technical team who so ably assisted. It really was a sensational House Talent Show.

In October, talented students from Princethorpe College participated in the 2025 UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Challenge, a prestigious national competition that celebrates the top young problem-solvers in the country. This challenging competition, held under formal exam conditions, requires students to tackle a series of multiple-choice questions. The papers are then marked externally by the UKMT, with the highest-scoring pupils receiving Bronze, Silver, or Gold certificates.

Targeted at Sixth Form students, Princethorpe selected 29 skilled mathematicians from both the Lower and Upper Sixth to compete in this year’s challenge. The demanding nature of the competition is designed to stretch and sharpen mathematical thinking and the College is thrilled to announce exceptional results.

A special congratulations goes to Upper Sixth Former, Zach Hawkins, who earned a Gold certificate and was recognized as the school’s top performer. Additionally, Lower Sixth student Daniel Ovens-Gibbs achieved a Gold certificate and was named the best-performing student in his year group. Zach’s and Daniel’s outstanding performances also secured them a place in the prestigious Senior Kangaroo Challenge. 

Gold certificate and Senior Kangaroo qualifiers: Zach Hawkins, Samuel Divers, Samuel Elden and Daniel Ovens-Gibbs.

Silver certificate: Oliver Dyke and Annabel Brimley.

Bronze certificate: Keshav Gupta, Sam Stevens, Jesse Esler, Megan Thandi, Mohammad Abedi, Jamie Capelett, Tom Leret, Lucas Summers and Kathryn Flegg.

Well done to all the pupils who participated and many thanks for their efforts. We hope you found the experience both challenging and rewarding!

Theo Scoutas
Post 16 Mathematics Co-ordinator

Over three nights this week, our talented cast and crew are delivering a powerful and poignant tale of brotherhood, duty and loyalty, based on Michael Morpugo’s acclaimed novel Private Peaceful. Captivated audiences are joining Tommo and Charlie Peaceful in their trials and tribulations of a childhood in the country and on to the horrors and injustices of the Great War.

The play is another in a string of phenomenal productions by our fabulous Drama department, with pupils from Years 7 up to the Sixth Form working together under the direction of Joint Heads of Drama, Aileen Cefaliello and Vicky Roberts. Yesterday evening's first performance was incredible.

A number of tickets are still available for tonight's (Friday 21 November) performance, book your tickets here. Saturday evening is nearly sold out.

A big 'break a leg' to all the cast and behind the scenes team for the last two performances.

View the gallery to get a sneak preview of the play.

On Tuesday 11 November, the College community gathered together outside on the school playground to remember the bravery and selfless sacrifice made by so many service men and women.

Foundation Principal, Ed Hester, opened the Remembrance Service with a prayer then Year 7 pupils, Grace, Isabelle and Arthur, read Why Do We Wear A Poppy. At 11.00am, College trumpeters, Theo and Will, and Brass Teacher, Mr Allison, sounded The Last Post and the College observed a two-minute silence. Sixth Form students, James, Jorja, Joshua, Lola, Bella, Liv, Sam, Ajunee, Martha, Chloe, Jonjo and Amber then read the poem For The Fallen.

A wreath was hung at the Pupils’ Entrance by Headmaster, Grove du Toit, and Heads of School, Will and Francesca. Mr du Toit led further prayers and called forward pupils from across the school to lay their Form’s wreaths. Before the service, pupils had each written their remembrances on paper poppies and these had been assembled into Tutor Group wreaths. 

The Remembrance Service finished with College community singing the traditional hymn Abide With Me. Musical accompaniment was provided by Director of Music, Mr Cowlishaw, Music Teacher, Mrs Wakeley and College musicians, Henry, Jasper, Naomi and Alex.

At the Eleventh Hour on the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month – We Will Remember Them.

As part of our upcoming Foundation COP week, and to support our drive for sustainable transport choices, we are excited to announce that during the COP week (Monday 1 to Friday 5 December) we will once again be running our bus service free trial week, where pupils who do not currently use the school bus service can sign up to try the College’s buses out, including the late buses. 

If you would like to take advantage of this offer, simply visit Princethorpe College Bus Services 2025-26, select the Contact Us form, and send Vectare a message - or email them directly at contact@vectare.co.uk.

Please note that the free bus trial is subject to availability on your desired route and this offer is not available to pupils currently using the bus services.

The free trial also includes our late buses which, with the dark winter nights, have been proving increasingly popular with pupils attending after school sports and clubs, staying for subject clinics or attending Prep. It’s good to see more pupils using the service, especially since we adjusted the route of the late bus to Rugby after feedback from parents.

The late buses offer pupils the flexibility of being collected from local hubs at the end of the day rather than requiring parents to travel to Princethorpe. There is a choice of three routes that serve our surrounding communities, including Leamington/Stratford (PC20L), Rugby/Coventry (PC21L) and South Rugby/Southam (PC22L). The routes can be viewed on our dedicated bus website here.

Our late buses are included with the termly PM bus pass. Parents just need to transfer the booking from their normal 4.00pm bus to the relevant late one on their Vectare account. A guide on how to do this can be found here. Ad-hoc late bus tickets can also be purchased via Vectare.

After a rigorous selection process, The Princethorpe Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Matt Aston as the new Head of Crescent School with effect from September 2026. He will take over the headship from Joe Thackway who retires at the end of this academic year after nine years of outstanding service. Matt will also become a member of the Foundation’s Executive Committee.

Matt is a very experienced prep school Head, with a strong track record of success in school leadership and management. A Psychology graduate with 23 years’ experience in education, he has taught in both the state and independent sectors. His early career was based around the West Midlands, but he has recently returned to the UK after ten years overseas, latterly in Saudi Arabia as Head of Aldenham Prep in Riyadh and prior to that in Kazakhstan as Head of Junior School at Haileybury Almaty.

Committed to a clear educational vision focused on providing a happy, nurturing environment where quality learning takes place and the needs of each child are fulfilled, Matt will be responsible for the management and strategic direction of Crescent School as part of the wider Princethorpe Foundation.

Married with four children, Matt is also a committed endurance athlete, having completed Ironman triathlons and marathons in his spare time.

Commenting on the appointment Ed Hester, Foundation Principal said, “We had a very strong field of candidates for the post and Matt impressed us all with his enthusiasm, knowledge and insight, his fine educational credentials and swift rapport with the children. We are confident that he is the right person to take the Crescent to new heights and we will also value his contribution to the overall Foundation.”

He continued, “Our sincere thanks go to Joe Thackway who has led the Crescent from strength to strength over the last nine years. Under his headship the school has grown in reputation and pupil numbers, there have been major improvements to its facilities and resources and the school has passed two ISI inspections with flying colours.”

In accepting the position Matt commented, “I am excited and honoured to take on the Headship of Crescent School and lead it into the next stage of its development, building on the exceptional work of Joe Thackway. I recognise and fully appreciate what a special community Crescent School is and upholding its values and building on its success will be central to my role. I am really looking forward to meeting and building relationships with staff, pupils and parents over the coming months.”

This week, some our Lower Sixth scientists enjoyed subject enrichment sessions at A-level Science Live events at the University of Birmingham and the Emmanuel Centre in London. They heard from inspirational scientists working at the cutting edge of their specialisms on a variety of topics that were engaging and inspiring and that showcased the opportunities available in science.

Our physicists explored the concept of time, first light, powering space exploration, sound and particle physics. While our chemists enjoyed lectures on subjects including atmospheric chemistry, chiral materials and nanostructures and particularly enjoyed the session on synthetic soil and how that supports sustainability. 

Both days also included useful sessions from A-level examiners, with tips and guidance on how to improve examination performance.

These events provide such valuable subject extension for our Sixth Form students.
 

On Tuesday 18 November, we were delighted to recognise and celebrate the many pupils who have risen to the challenge of the College’s ethos.

Headmaster, Grove du Toit and Assistant Head Co-curricular, Neil McCollin, congratulated pupils from across the College who had been nominated by members of staff. All had tried their best; some had excelled or showed commitment to sport, performing arts, charity work or academic studies, whilst others had gone over and above for their House or Tutor group. All were an outstanding example for their peers.

Mr du Toit thanked each and every one of them, recognising the commitment and effort they put in and all that they do to enrich school life.

This term we celebrated:

From Year 7: Sophie Gower, Woody Hesketh-Reynolds, Zac Jardine, Neriah Oseji and Alex Tsang.

From Year 8: Felix Hughes, Sofia Papadogiannakis, Jessica Parker, May Reynolds, Oakley Smith and Aaryan Maindola.

From Year 9: Sienna Clay, Theo Cowlishaw and Lila Dixon.

From Year 10: Dami Ajagunna, Stephanie Bolton, Liv Burley, Issey Cleary, Lottie Corbin, Bebe Hesketh-Reynolds, Daniel Jenks, Andrew McCormack, Issy Moreton, Krishan Patel, Elena Raiseborough, Arthur Reid, Chloe Sarkies, Kian Thandi, Porter Tinning and Erik Windham.

From Year 11: Andrei Bodorin, Eva Cronin de Bufala, Michelle Gichiri, Charlotte Gower, Daisy Nash, Jasper Nicholls, Tara Rodgers and Thomas Zanyi.

From the Lower Sixth: Erin Aldridge, Kiki Blagg-Grey, Olivia Davey, Lola Foulerton, Rosie Moreton, Daniel Ovens-Gibbs, Ewan Pearce, Jessica Radford and Delilah Teeton.

From the Upper Sixth: Isabel Barnes, Sean Birtley, Amelia Chard, Theo Coles, Oliver Dyke, Roxy Glenn, Nika Handjani, Zach Hawkins, Anna Johnson, Francesca Kelly, Jess Lane, Alex Lawrence, Evie Marston, Emmi Parmenter and Cara Ridd.

You can find out more about their achievements here.

The 2026 College Calendar featuring 12 superb images of the College and its grounds, and priced at £6.50, is now available. It's a handy addition for any kitchen or office and would be the perfect Christmas present for all Princethorpians.

Once again, the front cover of the calendar was chosen by followers of the College's social media. They chose a photo of cows in front of Princethorpe's iconic Tower. The picture just missed out in the the competition last year and proved to be the most popular choice this time round. We had so much interest in the calendar competition that we decided to award a free calendar to both a current Princethorpe family and an Old Princethorpian. Many congratulations to Dr Linda Perry and to OP Steve Doherty who were picked as our two lucky winners. 

Copies of the calendar can be purchased via our online shop here, from the School Uniform Shop and will also be available at events in the run up to Christmas.

If you are on the hunt for presents, we have College umbrellas, useful for those rainy fixtures, as well as a wonderful range of Old Princethorpian merchandise from ties to cufflinks, pin badges to scarves and, not to mention, some very snazzy socks that would make a perfect Christmas gift.

Then we have prints and greetings cards available featuring the Soaring Red Brick Tower and the Princethorpe Trio of Heritage Buildings as well as prints of St Joseph's School.

To ensure UK posted orders can arrive in time for Christmas, orders and payment will need to be received by 12 noon on Monday 15 December 2025 please.

Wednesday 26 November - 4.00pm to 5.30pm

Our next English Enrichment Event will take place on Wednesday 26 November, between 4.00pm and 5.30pm in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre.

Ever considered how English could help solve crimes? How analysing a threatening email or a ransom note can help trace and identify the actual culprit?

Come along for a fun, practical session with Dr. Madison Hunter from the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics.

Helen Pascoe-Williams
Head of English

Sixth Form Taster Day

We look forward to welcoming Year 11 to their Sixth Form Taster Day on Wednesday 26 November. They will have received an individual timetable today with their subject information. We will also provide them with lunch in the Sixth Form Centre.

As part of the Sixth Form experience, pupils will not be required to wear their normal school uniform. Instead, they can choose to come in their Games kit, as Sixth Formers are permitted to do on Games days, or to choose one of the following options:  

Option 1: smart trousers, paired with a shirt, polo shirt or blouse with a collar and sleeves (ties optional)

Option 2: a smart skirt worn to the knee or longer, paired with a collared shirt, polo shirt or blouse with sleeves (ties optional) 

Option 3: a smart dress worn to the knee or longer with sleeves

With the cooler weather in mind, we would recommend adding a jacket/blazer or warm jumper/cardigan and school shoes for a smart and comfortable finish to their outfit. 

We do not expect Year 11 to follow the full Sixth Form dress code for this day and do not expect them to buy something specifically for the occasion.  

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

Friday 28 November, 7.00pm - Butterworth Hall, University Of Warwick

We are looking forward to welcoming guests to our annual Prize Giving Ceremony.

Additional tickets are now available through Eventbrite and can be booked via the link below.

Update link - Eventbrite Additional Ticket Bookings

These complimentary tickets are released on a first come, first served basis; after booking you will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite with your seat details. Please see the FAQs on the event listing for more details.

There are also a limited number of accessible seats available, again, allocated on a first come first served basis. If you require accessible seating, please contact post@princethorpe.co.uk. 

This year's Prize Giving promises to be a full house, so please arrive in good time to take your seats. Doors will open at 6.30pm in time for everyone to be seated by 6.55pm.

We hope you can join us for the Prize Giving Ceremony.

Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 December 2025 - 7.00pm

Our Christmas Wreath Making Evening has proved so popular in the past that this year we will be putting on two evenings in support of the Malawi fundraising effort.

The evenings will take place on Wednesday 3 December and Thursday 4 December in the Sixth Form Centre. Arrival time is 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start. Cost for the evening will be £30 per person and includes all the materials to make your beautiful wreath, a welcome drink and mince pie.

It is open to all Princethorpe parents, staff and friends. In order to book your place(s) please click here by Friday 28 November. One person can book for a group of people – recommended if you would like to sit together for the evening.

There will be a bar on the night and a raffle, so if anyone has a raffle prize they would like to donate, please get in touch with me at bencollie@princethorpe.co.uk

Ben Collie
Head of Sixth Form

Tuesday 9 December 2025 - 6.00pm to 7.30pm

The STEAM Ambassadors warmly invite you to join us for this year's Science Christmas Lecture on Tuesday 9 December.

The evening begins at 6.00pm, with a festive reception in the Refectory with refreshments, plenty of science magic and a fun science quiz. The main lecture follows in the Clarkson theatre and includes amazing demonstrations and an online quiz. 

Don’t forget to bring your mobile phone so you can take part in the online quiz.

Please book your free tickets by clicking the link here.

Dan Lee and the STEAM Ambassadors

Thursday 11 December 2025 - 7.00pm to 8.30pm - College Chapel

The Music Department extends a warm invitation to all parents and friends to join us in a Christmas celebration of music and poetry.

This will be an informal evening offering pupils the opportunity to perform a range of out-of-the-ordinary Christmas pieces. Pupils from the various music ensembles, LAMDA lessons, as well as individual music recitals will be taking part in the evening. Please feel free to enter into the spirit of the occasion by wearing a Christmas jumper or similarly festive outfit. There will be an award for the finest example of Christmas knitwear!

This promises to be an enjoyable and memorable introduction to the festive period. If you would like to join us then please note that due to our restrictions on numbers this will be a ticket-only event. To apply for tickets please click here and complete your details. Please note that due to the number of seats available in the Chapel there is a limit of four seats per family. If you think you may need any more, please contact me directly at gilcowlishaw@princethorpe.co.uk

We hope that you will join us for festive refreshments following the performance in the Sixth Form Centre. Please note that tickets are free of charge, but there will be a retiring collection in aid of Save The Children's Christmas Jumper Day Appeal.

With thanks for your continuing support.

Gil Cowlishaw
Director of Music

Friday 12 December 2025, 7.15pm to 9.45pm - Princethorpe College Refectory 

Get those Christmas jumpers ready and join us at Princethorpe College on Friday 12 December for a fun-filled evening of quizzes, laughter, and festive cheer!

Tickets are £5 per adult, and pupils and students go free. A delicious festive food platter for two is available to be pre-ordered for just £10 if you wish to enjoy seasonal treats on the night, please see the attached images for a preview. Orders for platters will close on Wednesday 10 December. 

There will be prizes to be won on the night, including a prize for best festive dress, so come dressed to impress!

Bring your family and friends and kick off the Christmas season with joy and community spirit. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Tickets are available now, please click the link here to book. 

Fr Teddy O'Brien MSC, the Parish Priest for St Anne's Catholic Church, Wappenbury, CV33 9DW and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels, Princethorpe College, CV23 9PX, warmly invites you to attend any or all of the services over the Christmas season at the churches indicated below:

Monday 15 December 2025
7.00pm      Carol Service - St Anne's, Wappenbury

Sunday 21 December 2025
8.30am       Mass - St Anne's, Wappenbury
10.30am     Mass - St Anne's, Wappenbury

Wednesday 24 December 2025
5.00pm       Family Mass - Princethorpe College
9.00pm       First Mass of Christmas - Princethorpe College - Note no Midnight Mass

Thursday 25 December 2025
9.30am      Mass of Christmas Day - St Anne's, Wappenbury

Sunday 28 December 2025
8.30am      Mass - St Anne's, Wappenbury
10.30am     Mass - St Anne's, Wappenbury            

Sunday 4 January 2026          
8.30am      Mass - St Anne's, Wappenbury
10.30am     Mass - St Anne's, Wappenbury          

For any further information or to read the Parish newsletter please visit the link to St Anne's website here

Thank you
 
 

Thursday 18 December to Friday 19 December - 8.00am to 5.00pm

Team Super Sports are back at Princethorpe College for two days of festive fun for children aged 5 to 16 years. From Thursday 18 December to Friday 19 December, the Holiday Camps will run from 8.00am to 5.00pm.

Click here to visit the Team Super Sports website to secure your child’s spot.

Camps are priced at £39 per day. 10% early bird discount ends Sunday 7 December. Other discounts are available including sibling discounts!

As we enter the run up to the mock exams and the GCSE exam period beyond, I would like to remind parents that the College subscribes to GCSEPod, an online content and revision provider to support GCSE revision. GCSEPod can support the effort, systems and practice elements of the VESPA model, providing tailored content to help your child revise.

As a subscriber, your child has access to GCSEPod’s library of over 6,000 ‘Pods,’ 3-5 minute videos designed to deliver knowledge in short bursts. GCSEPod makes learning and revision much more manageable: every Pod is mapped to an exam board, and contains all the right facts, quotes, keywords, dates and annotated diagrams that your child needs for GCSE success – all neatly organised into topics and exam playlists.

This short video is a great introduction to the platform for parents. For more ways to support your child using GCSEPod, please visit www.gcsepod.com/parents where you’ll find lots more information and resources. There are also parent and student webinars you can book onto, on revision techniques and exam readiness using GCSEPod, on the link here: GCSEPOD Webinars

One of the best things about GCSEPod is that your child can download any Pod to their mobile device, and then they can watch them at any time, in any place, with or without internet. It’s like they’re carrying a whole set of textbooks in their pocket! 

All Year 11 pupils recently had a reminder of how to use GCSEPod as part of their PSHE lessons, but the platform is available to pupils in all year groups. Your child can also access a helpful video on how to use GCSEPod to revise for exams on this link (pupils will need to be logged into their school account to access this video).

All pupils have already been registered with GCSEPod through their school account. If you child has already activated their account they can login using the ‘Sign in with Office365’ button, using their Princethorpe email address and password.

If they haven’t used GCSEPod before they just need to activate their account by going to www.gcsepod.com and clicking “Login” in the top right-hand corner, then following the instructions below:

1)      Click “New here?  Get started.”

2)      Select “Student”

3)      Enter their name, date of birth and the school name.

4)      Create a username, password, and a password hint to help them remember the password.

Once the account is activated they can login using the ‘Sign in with Office365’ button, using their Princethorpe email address and password.

If you have any questions regarding GCSEPod please don’t hesitate to contact me at andycompton@princethorpe.co.uk

Andy Compton
Foundation Director of Digital Strategy

Did you know …

We subscribe to Britannica Schools online. This fabulous digital resource supports research and learning across all subjects and is available to all of our pupil via the School Portal in the Library section.

Whilst all pupils use this for their research lesson at the end of Year 7, it is often forgotten about so we wanted to remind them how great it is!

Once logged into Britannica Schools there is a wealth of information and it is accessible for everybody. This includes different reading levels, the facility to make fonts bigger/smaller, dyslexia friendly fonts, translations – all at the click of a button.

What they say …

“Britannica School is a citable, online learning resource trusted by teachers and pupils.

The information in Britannica School is aligned to the national curriculum, updated daily and spans a range of media, including video, images and audio content. Curated and checked by professional editors, it is the must-have learning and teaching digital resource.

With the ability to browse by subject, look for biographies, explore the World Atlas, compare statistical information between different countries and discover interactive resources, Britannica School makes digital learning more accessible than ever.”

Did you know that we subscribe to The Day  which is accessible for all our young people here at Princethorpe? It keeps them up to date with all the current affairs, encouraging them to think about what is happening and making informed opinions. It is also an excellent tool to support learning and research. The Day is available via the School Portal in the Library section.

Nicola Treadwell
Head Librarian

Tutor Reports for Year 10 will be published on Friday 28 November 2025, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

Year 11 Mock Exam Reports will be published on Friday 5 December 2025, and will be available to view on My School Portal.

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

The Year 11 Subject Progress Evening will take place online on Wednesday 10 December 2025 from 5.00pm to 8.30pm. Details of how to book appointments will be emailed week commencing 1 December 2025.

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

Our library has been celebrating Non Fiction November with a fabulous display of some of our favourite non fiction books. In addition, we have put together ideas for some of our books that are all available to borrow, please click here. 

For those that aren’t so keen reading in general, we often find that a non fiction book can really be good to get them back into the reading habit. 

We are encouraging all of our pupils to pop into the library and have a look at our non fiction books and if they can’t find what they are looking for within their subjects/sports/interests then they can let us know and we will add them to our New Book Wish List for the next order. 

Also, both The Day or Britannica Schools (via the School Portal) have some excellent non fiction reading materials.

Nicola Treadwell
Head Librarian

We are delighted to announce the return of Jolabokflod, the fabulous Icelandic tradition we have adopted to swap books just before Christmas. 

This year we will be running the event from Monday 1 December to Thursday 4 December. It is a fabulous way to be green and recycle pre-loved books so we are looking for donations! 

This year we have also linked it in with a House Competition, please see the attached poster here for all the details. 

Nicola Treadwell
Head Librarian

On Monday 8 December 2025, we will be celebrating the 171th anniversary of the founding of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in 1854, the esteemed founders of our College. As part of the annual celebrations, pupils are permitted to wear their house tops along with their normal uniform for the day.

The day will include the traditional sharing of Princethorpe cookies within tutor groups and special assemblies where we will join together in celebrating the anniversary of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and host our internal Prizegiving, celebrating awards from 2024-2025 alongside successes which have occurred so far this academic year.  

Thank you for your continued support as we come together to honour this important milestone in our College's history.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head – Co-curricular and Operations
 

Off Games Request Form

Can I please remind you of the process for requesting exemption from Games lessons. The procedure in place supports both our pupils and staff  as we are able to promptly register pupils for their Games afternoon and allow our School Nurses to provide timely follow-up and support for those recovering from illness or injury. 

We have an Off Games request form available on our school portal. If your child is not fit to participate in their Games lesson, please complete this form by 10:00am  on the day of their scheduled Games session. 

Once submitted, your child can collect an official slip from the Medical Centre during break or lunch that day. Absence from PE lessons throughout the week should also be requested using the same form in advance of the lesson.

Alternatively visit My School Portal, go to My Children and then click on Forms.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us ensure the well-being and smooth management of all our pupils.

Louisa Fielding
Acting Assistant Head - Pastoral

As we move into the second half of the Michaelmas Term, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the rich variety of experiences, achievements, and community spirit that have already shaped this year for our Sixth Form.

The term began with energy, purpose, and a wonderful sense of togetherness - true hallmarks of the Princethorpe spirit. Alongside this, our students have continued to impress with their ability to balance academic commitments with the wider life of the Sixth Form. From leadership responsibilities to enrichment activities and preparation for important academic milestones, their maturity and dedication have been exceptional. Our students continue to show great resolve, ambition, and community-mindedness - qualities that will undoubtedly carry them through the busy period ahead.

Festive and Community Event 
This half term will mark the start of our festive programme of activities, with several much-enjoyed events contributing to the warm sense of community we value so highly.

Christmas Tree Decorating Competition - Thursday 27 November 2025
Students and tutors will bring plenty of creativity (and friendly rivalry!) to this much-loved tradition. The Sixth Form Centre will be transformed with festive flair as each house compete for the top spot.

Care Home Christmas Lunch - Wednesday 3 December 2025
We ask for the Sixth Form volunteers to help host and serve a special Christmas lunch for residents from a local care homes. Their kindness and conversation will make the event especially meaningful.

Upper Sixth Social – Friday 12  December 2025
The Upper Sixth Social promises to be filled with good food, music, and plenty of festive cheer - a well-earned opportunity to relax at the end of a busy half term. 

Upcoming Dates For Your Diary

• Prize Giving - Friday 28 November 2025
• EPQ Presentations - Early December 2025
• Care Home Christmas Lunch - Wednesday 3 December 2025
• Wreath Making Fundraising Evenings - Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 December 2025
• Upper Sixth Social Evening - Friday 12 December 2025 

With so much to look forward to, this second half of term promises to be every bit as inspiring.

Ben Collie 
Head of Sixth Form

Upper Sixth Mock Exam Reports will be published on Friday 28 November 2025 and will be available to view on My School Portal.

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

The Upper Sixth Subject Progress Evening will take place online on Tuesday 2 December, from 5.00pm to 8.30pm. Details of how to book appointments will be emailed during week commencing Monday 24 November 2025.

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

Insight To BDO - The World's Fifth Largest Accounting and Professional Service Firm - Birmingham

Are you ready to explore a career with one of the world's leading accountancy and business advisory firms? Curious to see what makes BDO stand out in the industry?

We're excited to invite students to an exclusive, in-person Insight Event with BDO on Thursday 4 December 2025 from 5.00pm to 7.30pm at the Aston Conference Centre in Birmingham. This event is designed for students eager to learn more about business and accounting.

• Hear directly from BDO professionals about their experiences and career journeys.
• Learn about BDO's renowned graduate, apprenticeship, and work experience programs.
• Explore opportunities in audit, tax, advisory, and more!

Why BDO?

BDO is not just a top accountancy firm - it's a place where ambitious young professionals thrive. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality services and fostering an inclusive, forward-thinking culture, BDO offers an ideal environment for young talent to grow and succeed. This event will give you a unique insight into how you can be part of shaping the future of business.

Why Attend?

• Discover pathways into a career in accounting and professional services.
• Gain invaluable insights into the skills and attributes BDO looks for in future talent.
• Network with professionals and get your questions answered directly by BDO's team.

With limited capacity, register asap to confirm your place!

Register using the link here.

Jacqui Quinney   
Head of Careers
 

We are supporting the local Society of St Vincent de Paul who make up and distribute Christmas parcels and hampers locally to needy families as well as to individuals. This year, the project is being extended the aim being to do the same as last year but covering a wider area. However, they can only do this with your support. 

They are appealing for donations of non-perishable food items such as tinned, packeted, and dried food, bottled and tinned soft drinks, chocolates, snacks, biscuits and Christmas items such as mince pies, puddings, selection boxes and Christmas crackers. 

The cut-off date for donations is 5 December to enable time for the preparation and distribution of the hampers. Donations can be left in G12A ,or collected in Tutor Group.

Please can everyone bring something to enable Christmas to be enjoyed by all.

Thank you.

Jess Lane and Agatha Pitchers 
Chaplaincy, Charity and Ethos Prefects

Our PE and Games Department have created a helpful guide for pupils and parents for Michaelmas Term 2025 which includes further information about: 

• Team coaches and how you may contact them
• Instructions on how to access the Sports homepage and team sheets
• Information about fixtures, including selection and cancellations
• Sports kit expectations
• Postcodes for away fixtures 

Please click the link here to view the guide. 

If you have any questions, please direct them to your son/daughter's team coach or email myself, Lee Cassell (Foundation Director of Sport) at leecassell@princethorpe.co.uk.

Lee Cassell 
Foundation Director of Sport 

At the end of the Trinity Term, Princethorpe College will once again host its annual Innovation and Adventure Days (IAD). During this two-day programme, pupils will immerse themselves in a chosen activity designed to spark passion, inspire curiosity, and build lasting memories with their friends. Last year’s activity list included:

• Year 10:  Cliff Lakes and Water Experience, DofE Silver Expedition, Fishing, Go Adventures, Golf Experience, RAF Experience, Work Experience, Game Coding, Dungeons and Dragons, Literature Experience
• Year 9: Board Games and Escape Room, Cliff Lakes and Water Experience, Dungeons and Dragons, Fishing, Copa America Football Experience, Go Adventures, Golf Experience, Harry Potter Studios Experience,  Literature Experience, Murder Mystery, RAF Experience
• Year 8: Activ8, Board Games and Escape Room, Cricket Experience, Fishing, Copa America Football Experience, Go Adventures, Harry Potter Studios experience, Copa America Football Experience, Murder Mystery, Netball Experience
• Year 7: Activ8, Board Games and Escape Room, Cricket Experience, Dungeons and Dragons, Copa America Football Experience, Game Coding, Go Adventures, Harry Potter Studios Experience, Copa America Football Experience, Murder Mystery, Netball Experience, Literature Experience, Sailing Trip

Staff are already hard at work, channelling their creativity as they prepare an exciting programme of activities for pupils to enjoy in 2026. This week, pupils in Years 7, 8, 9, and 10 attended a presentation outlining the residential options available for this year. A brief overview of each offering is as follows:

•    Music Tour to Paris: available to all year groups but pupils must be attending a co-curricular music group/s. Dates are Saturday 27 - Tuesday 30 June 2026 with a cost of £750

•    History Trip to Belgium: available to year groups 8 and 9. Dates are Sunday 28 June - Tuesday 30 June with a cost of £485

•    Hayling Sailing Trip: available to all year groups and the experience can range from beginner to advanced. Dates are Sunday 28 - Tuesday 30 June at a cost of £300

•    Football experience to Chelsea FC: available to year groups 7, 8 and 9. Dates are Monday 29 - Tuesday 30 June. The cost is still to be confirmed, as this will depend on the level of interest in either a residential option or a single-day trip. This activity could be completed in one day; however, it would require an early 7.15am departure from Princethorpe and a return at approximately 9.00pm.

•    Silver Duke of Edinburgh Qualifying Expedition: available to Year 10 as the final compulsory element if you have signed up for Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme. Dates are Sunday 28 June - Tuesday 30 June

We hope these opportunities have already sparked conversations at home and begun to build excitement for the end of the Trinity Term. Pupils who would like further details about the residential trips have been encouraged to send me a message on Teams; we will then share the relevant information with you as a family so that pupils can be signed up before Christmas.

The full programme of activities will be released in January, ensuring a wealth of exciting options for all pupils - whether they choose a two-day activity or one of the residential trips.

Thank you for your support as always.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head – Co-curricular and Operations

2025-26 Launch 

The enrolment deadline for Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards has now passed. Participants have been added to the eDofE system and will have received an email on Wednesday 29 October with their login details. Silver and Gold participants who have completed previous levels should use their same login details. Once participants have activated their account Welcome Packs will arrive in the post direct from DofE. There is lots of useful information on the My School Portal Co-Curricular page under the Duke of Edinburgh's Award heading. 

2024-25 Participants

Assessor Reports - Participants should be actively asking their assessors to complete their assessor reports for their volunteering, physical and skill sections. Participants will have paper reports in their welcome booklet or they can request an electronic assessor report. Click here for a guide to completing an assessor report with a useful template email participants can update with their own information and send to the assessor. Participants should also be uploading evidence of their activity to demonstrate their time commitment. 

We are calling participants in small groups at tutor time to offer help and support in signing off their awards. Participants can request to see any of the team including their Young Leader, please actively encourage this.

Participants are reminded to check their Teams messages. Please check in with your participant to ensure they are making full use of the support on offer. 

Participants are encouraged to use Teams chats with their Young Leader or individually with Tamsin Frost or Sion Murphy for any extra help.

For any Duke of Edinburgh's Award enquires please use the dedicated email dofe@princethorpe.co.uk with the subject DofE-B, S or G-Surname.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-curricular and Operations

Did you know you can support the Princethorpe PTA online?

Follow, like and share our social media posts to help us reach a wider audience. The more people who are aware of our fundraising events, the greater impact we can make for the school community! Please see below the links to our social media pages:

Facebook: PTA Princethorpe

Instagram: @princethorpepta

Thank you for your support. 

Princethorpe PTA

Yes it’s true, if you sign up to Princethorpe College Easyfundraising, when you shop online the retailer will give us a percentage of your spend at no extra cost to you. It is a reward and thank you for shopping with the retailer and free money in the PTA pot to spend on the much needed extras in the school.

It is incredibly easy! If you are not already registered, please visit the link here or search for Easyfundraising and find Princethorpe PTA. Once registered you can set automatic tracking or go through the Easyfundraising App to purchase and the PTA will receive a percentage of what you spend!

Thank you.

Although there is no Christmas Fair this year, the festive spirit of the Princethorpe PTA is still going strong! We’re thrilled to announce that our much-loved Annual Christmas Raffle is back — and this year, it’s had a merry little makeover.

A Greener Christmas Tradition
In the spirit of sustainability, the 2025 Christmas Raffle has gone fully electronic. That means no more paper tickets, just a few clicks and you’re in the draw! It’s easier, faster, and better for the planet.

Ticket sales opened on Wednesday 19 November and will close on Sunday 14 December at 11.59pm. Tickets are  just £1 per entry and the raffle will be drawn on Monday 15 December at 9.00am.  

Fabulous Prizes Await!
This year’s raffle is packed with incredible prizes that are sure to make your Christmas extra special, including:

• PTA Festive Family Hamper
• Luxury Narrow Boat Weekend Break for 8
• Lifetime Training in Film, Theatre & Creative Writing
• Sony Wireless Headphones
• Gin Gift Set

…and many more surprises.

Why It Matters
Every ticket you buy helps support the Princethorpe College PTA, funding enriching activities and essential equipment that directly benefit our students. It’s a wonderful way to give while getting a chance to win something fabulous!

Buy your tickets online now using the link here and spread the cheer.

Let’s make this year’s raffle the most successful yet.

Thank you for your continued support and festive generosity.

A festive Christmas lunch will be available to purchase on Tuesday 16 December, served in the Main Refectory and Sixth Form Dining Room.

Andrew Williams
Catering Manager

We are delighted to welcome everyone back after the half-term break and hope that all our students are feeling refreshed, re-energised, and ready to make the most of the final stretch of the Michaelmas term as we approach the festive season.

Over the next few weeks, our catering team has an exciting line-up of seasonal specials and festive treats to look forward to. These dishes have been carefully designed to bring a touch of warmth and celebration to our menus, as we head towards Christmas. From comforting classics, to creative holiday-inspired offerings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Our recent Cozy Comforts Hot Chocolate Bar was a particular highlight, coinciding perfectly with the chilly weather. The range of flavours and toppings was extremely well received, and we were delighted to see so many students enjoy this winter favourite.

As we move deeper into the festive period, we recognise that this time of year can be both exciting and busy for students and staff alike. With that in mind, our focus remains on providing nutritious balanced meals, that not only taste great but also support wellbeing during this demanding time. We continue to uphold the commitments that earned us our recent sustainability award, making every effort to use surplus ingredients responsibly and minimise food waste wherever possible.

We look forward to sharing more delicious meals and festive moments with you as we approach the end of term.

Please click here to view a copy of the current catering menus. 

If you have any questions regarding the selection of food we have on offer here at Princethorpe College, especially if related to any allergies or specific food requirements, please feel free to email andrewwilliams@princethorpe.co.uk as we aim to cater for all needs.

Andrew Williams
Catering Manager

Brain Food Thursdays

Every Thursday throughout the school year, we are highlighting a healthy food that fuels both body and mind.

Throughout November, our focus is on beetroot – beetroot is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, it helps to dilate blood vessels and can improve blood flow to the brain.  We will be serving Homemade Red Velvet Beetroot Brownies every Thursday in November for £2.00. 

Catering at Princethorpe is paid for via our cashless catering system, +Pay. Parents can top up the account online, and pupils use their fingerprint to pay in school. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding accessing and using +Pay, as well as information on seeing what your child has purchased, balance information and how to get support. 

How do I access +Pay? 

If you have an Android or Apple smartphone, we highly recommend that you download the free IRIS ParentMail App so that you can make easy online payments on the go. To do this, simply search for “ParentMail” in your App store, or use the links here: 

Apple App Store: IRIS ParentMail on the App Store 

Google Play Store: IRIS ParentMail - Apps on Google Play 

You can also access +Pay on the web at https://pmx.parentmail.co.uk/. There are also links to this on My School Portal and the Parents section of the school website. 

How do I sign-in to +Pay? 

Once registered, you simply sign-in using your email address and password. You will have created the password when you registered your account. If you can’t remember your password, you can reset this using the ‘Forgotten your password’ link on the +Pay sign in page.  

How do I top up my child’s dinner money? 

Once signed in to +Pay, click on Accounts and then click on Dinner Top up for the child you want to top up. You can see their current balance on this screen. 

Click on Top Up, choose an amount (the minimum top up amount is £10) and click Add to basket. Then click on Checkout, and complete the payment via your chosen method. 

 What are Automatic Top Ups? 

To make sure student dinner money is always in credit, you can set up for automatic payments of a set amount to be taken when the balance drops below a certain amount. 

To switch on Automatic Top ups, go to Accounts, select the child, then click Automatic Top up. Set the minimum balance value. When the child’s account goes below this value, the automatic top up will take place. Then set the automatic top up amount. Click Continue, then accept the terms of service You will then be prompted to add a card for the top ups to be taken from.  

How can I see what my child has purchased? 

On + Pay, you can see all transactions and items purchased. To view this, go to Accounts and select the child. At the bottom of the page, click Statements, then click on the month. A popup will open with the amount spent each day of that month. Click on the individual day to see the specific items and costs for the day. 

Will I be reminded if I need to top up my child’s dinner money? 

You will receive a weekly automated reminder email to top up accounts once the balance has fallen below £15 

You will receive another automated reminder email once the balance drops below £0. If you require your child to still use their account, please ensure it is topped up on receipt of the reminder email. 

Will my child be able to purchase food if I don’t top up their dinner money? 

We will always ensure that children are fed at school, but what they are able to purchase will be restricted if the balance drops below -£10. When their balance reaches -£10, pupils will no longer be able to freely use their account.  

They will be required to go to pupil hub, who will arrange for your child to receive a sandwich from the refectory, which will be charged to the child’s account. Any other purchases will be declined across the site. 

What will my bank statements show for payments to +Pay? 

Your bank statement will display either ‘Princethorpe College’ or ‘IRISPAY’, depending on your payment method. 

What if I don’t have a +Pay account? 

You should have received an email from info@parentmail.co.uk when your child joined the school, with a link to register your account. Click on the link, enter the DOB of the named child and click Verify now. 

If you can’t find the email, please check your junk/spam. You can also request a new registration email by emailing cashless@princethorpe.co.uk.  

What do I do if I need help with +Pay? 

You can find help and support on using +Pay here: ParentMail Help

You can also email cashless@princethorpe.co.uk for help and support. 

Andy Compton
Foundation Director of Digital Strategy

Starting with the Lent Term, invoices will cease being published via the current Fee Billing Portal and will be published directly onto My School Portal instead.  

The Lent Term invoices will be published towards the end of this term and we hope this change will make it easier for parents to access and view invoices directly through My School Portal, rather than logging into a separate system. 

You will find your invoices within the 'My Children' section of My School Portal, and then within the 'Invoices' page.

Please note that historic invoices will not be published to My School Portal, so should you wish to download a copy of historic invoices, you can do this via the Fee Billing Portal. Access to this portal will remain until July 2026, after which it will be retired.

Please also be aware that there are no changes to how bills are paid. Bills should be paid to our existing bank account, as per the invoices and fee sheets which are available online.

Please contact us should you have any queries regarding this by emailing accounts@princethorpe.co.uk.

Claire Alcock
Foundation Director of Finance

Cyber-crime – please be extra vigilant.

Parents are asked to be vigilant when reading emails relating to the payment of school fees and any other items to the Foundation. You can protect yourselves by only making payments to us in line with our normal, published methods. Any email offering a large discount on fees for the coming academic year if paid immediately is fraudulent.

There has been no change to the bank details of Princethorpe College, Crackley Hall or Crescent Schools and there is no intention to make any changes in the foreseeable future. Any electronic notification that appears to be from any of the Foundation schools changing these details may be fraudulent. Our bank details are available on the Parent Bills, the Online Payment Portal and in the Information Booklet for each school, and only those details should be used.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or my colleagues in the Finance team if you are have any doubts about the correct details or indeed if anything appears suspicious.

Claire Alcock
Foundation Director of Finance

We would like to remind parents of some useful contact details.

To report a pupil absence please do so on My School Portal.

For other enquiries please use the email addresses below:

Bus related queries - princethorpe@vectare.co.uk

School Shop - uniform@princethorpe.co.uk

Medical Centre - pcmatrons@princethorpe.co.uk

School fees -  accounts@princethorpe.co.uk

General enquiries - post@princethorpe.co.uk

Lost property - lostproperty@princethorpe.co.uk

+Pay catering - cashless@princethorpe.co.uk

Email addresses for members of teaching staff can be found on My School Portal.

Princethorpe Prep runs at school from 3.45 - 6.00pm. Please ensure that pupils are picked up promptly at 6.00pm. We understand that family circumstances can occasionally cause delays, but we kindly ask that you make every effort to collect your child on time. Additionally, please note that late buses now depart at 5.45pm, which may be a helpful option for some families, visit our bus service website here for more information.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning
 

Please see below our current vacancies:

Princethorpe College

• Design and Technology Technician

Little Crackers

• Nursery Assistant

Full details and how to apply are available via the following link: Join Us

Should you know anyone who might be interested in this post, please do share this information with them.